The Native Woodland Resource of Scotland a Review 1995-1998

Forestry Commission

The Native Woodland Resource of Scotland A Review 1995-1998

Neil A.MacKenzie

Forestry Commission ARCHIVE I FORESTRY COMMISSION TECHNICAL PAPER 30

The Native Woodland Resource Of Scotland A Review 1993-1998

Neil A. MacKenzie

ISBN 0 85538 410 7 FDC 524.6:905.2: 174.7: 176.1 (411)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This review was commissioned for the Forestry Commission's Advisory Panel on Native Woodlands in Scotland. The author would like to thank the following individuals who helped provide data for this report: Jill Aitken, Alan Booth, Les Bryson, Ewen Cameron, Ivan Clark, Tim Clifford, Roger Coppock, Martin Currie, Penny Edwards, Angela Douglas, Justin Gilbert, Tim Goucher, Kate PIoll, Richard Johnstone, David Law, Alan Leitch, Graham McBryer, Athol MacDonald, Ed Mackey, John O'Keefe, Richard Pollitt, Peter Quelch, Jenny Rees, Ruben Singleton, Barry Soames, Rob Souter, Pip Tabor, Mike Trubridge, Neil Wilcox, Becky Wills and Douglas Wright. Thanks also go to Robin Callander, Rick Worrell, Peter Quelch and other members of the Advisory Panel who commented on the manuscript, and to Jenny Claridge for editing and design.

KEYWORDS: Forests, Highlands, Lowlands, Native woodlands, Scotland, Statistics

Enquiries relating to this publication should be addressed to:

The Research Communications Officer Forest Research Alice Holt Lodge Wrecclesham, Famham Surrey GU10 4LH

Front cover: The Bucket Mill and part of the Glen Ferrick and Forest of Birse native pinewood, Deeside. This is Scotland's most easterly native pinewood and includes extensive areas of Scots pine, birch and other native tree species within a mosaic of moorland, fields and fringing settlement.(Neil MacKenzie)

Back cover: top Native scots pine spreading by natural regeneration over the Forest of Birse. (Neil MacKenzie). bottom The Bucket Mill is one of three 19th century water- powered wood-working mills still operating within the Glen Ferrick native pinewoods. At the Mill, which is owned by Birse Community Trust, wooden buckets are made using local native pine timber.(Stan Mopes) CONTENTS

Page

Acknowledgements ii

Summary iv

1. Definition of the resource 1 Introduction 1 Native woodlands 1 Highlands and Lowlands 2

2. New sources of information 1993-1998 3 Boundary changes since 1993 3 New native woodland surveys 1993-1998 3

3. The native woodland resource 6 Extent 6 Current extent of survey coverage in Scotland 7

4. Recent trends in the resource 10 Woodland Grant Scheme statistics 1993-1998 10 WGS planting and natural regeneration statistics 1994-1998 11 Native pinewoods in Woodland Grant Schemes 1990-1998 11 Native woodland statistics on Forest Enterprise land 12 Seed origin for native woodland planting schemes 12

5. Native woodland statistics and Habitat Action Plans 13

6. Conclusions and recommendations 16

References 18

Appendices

1. Main areas of semi-natural woodland 20 2. Woodland Grant Scheme statistics 1993-1998 24 3. Native pinewood statistics 1990-1998 26 4. New planting, restocking and natural regeneration on Forest Enterprise land 27 5 Local authorities in Scotland 28

Abbreviations used in the text 30 Summary

This report summarises the present extent of native woodlands in Scotland, reviews the planting and natural regeneration of new native woodlands over the past five years and considers the value of existing survey information in relation to the preparation of the UK Habitat Action Plans.

New survey information and an increase in the creation of new native woodlands have shown that the native woodland resource of Scotland is substantially greater than previously recognised. The current known area of native woodland is 320 938 hectares which consists of 47% natural origin and 53% planted origin native woodlands. This is a 34% increase in the area recorded in the previous review of five years ago and there are clear indications that the full extent of these native woodlands is still significantly under-recorded.

The planting and natural regeneration of native woodlands have increased considerably, adding 39 316 ha to the resource and accounting for over 53% of all planting, restocking and regeneration under Forestry Commission grant schemes in Scotland over the past five years. More native broadleaves were established than Scots pine and more broadleaves, on average, were established by natural regeneration rather than planting, particularly in the Highlands. However, the proportion of native woodland to total woodland has fallen during that period, principally due to recent accurate assessments of the afforestation schemes of the 1980s. Within the past two years, however, the proportion of regeneration schemes has declined slightly in favour of planting and, in contrast to the Highlands, the proportion of native broadleaves in schemes in the Lowlands is under 50% and has declined in the past five years.

In spite of the new information there is still no comprehensive account of the total area of native woodlands or the total area of each of the different sorts of native woodland in Scotland. An estimate of the proportion of the Habitat Action Plan classification types for semi-natural woods is given. A multi-purpose site-based database is suggested as a mechanism for the collection of national statistics on native woodlands in Scotland.

Neil MacKenzie is an independent land-use adviser working in Scotland on native woodlands, red deer and other related issues. Chapter 1 Definition of the resource

Introduction Table 1.1 Trees and shrubs native to Scotland

The increasing development of new policies for native woodlands as well as new targets and quotas Alder Alnus glutinosa for their restoration have maintained the growing Ash Fraxinus excelsior importance of the native woodland resource. Aspen Betula pubescens However, it has been five years since the data were Birch, silver Betula pendula compiled for the last review of native woodlands in Blackthorn Prunus spinosn Scotland and, throughout that time, new survey Cherry, bird Prunus padus work has been completed, or is in progress, and Cherry, wild (gean) Primus avium substantial areas of new native woodlands have been planted or regenerated. Elder Sambucus nigra Elm, wych Ulmus glabra This report reviews all new surveys dealing with Hawthorn Crateagus monogyna native woodlands in Scotland and updates and Hazel Corylus avellana revises the native woodland statistics previously Holly Ilex aquifolium presented in Forestry Commission (FC) Technical Juniper Juniperis communis Papers 12 and 17 (MacKenzie and Callander, 1995 and 1996). It also presents a detailed breakdown of Oak, pedunculate Quercus robur new native woodland planting and regeneration Oak, sessile Quercus petraea statistics over the past five years and considers the Pine, Scots Pinus sylvestris implications of new woodland inventory data and Rose, dog Rosa canina the need to produce a comprehensive database for Rose, guelder Viburnum opulus the UK Habitat Action Plans. This review has been Rowan Sorbus aucuparia commissioned to assist the work of the Forestry Whitebeam Sorbus rupicola Commission's Advisory Panel on Native Woodlands in Scotland. Sorbus arranensis Sorbus pseudofennica Native woodlands Willow, goat Salix caprea Willow, grey Salix cinerea The native woodlands of Scotland are largely made Willow, eared Salix aurita up of tree and shrub species which are the Yew Taxus baccata descendants of the original natural forest that colonised the country after the end of the last Ice Age (Table 1.1). Note Some of these species are rare or have a restricted natural distribution in Scotland (e.g. yew, elder, guelder rose and The total native woodland resource includes both the rock whitebeam, Sorbus rupicola) while Sorbus the natural origin native woodlands and the arranensis and S. pseudofennica are found only on Arran planted origin native woodlands. The natural and Scots pine only occurs naturally in the Scottish origin woodlands are also described as semi-natural Highlands. Other small shrubs like gorse, broom, dwarf because their character and composition have birch and additional willow species and their hybrids generally been modified by human activities. Most could also have been included in this list. (See Rodwell natural and planted origin native woodlands are(1991) or Peterken (1981) for further information on the relatively easily distinguished in the field, although distribution of native species.) there are a number of pine and oak sites where historical research is required to determine their origin. Recent new native woodland planting, however, has moderately accurate records of species and seed origin as required under the terms of the FC Woodland Grant Scheme.

1 Highlands and Lowlands

A Scotland is divided geographically into two natural regions: the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Highlands are located to the north of the Highland Boundary Fault and to the west of the eastern edge 0 50 of the Grampian Mountains while the Lowlands are to the south of the Fault and to the east of the eastern edge of the Grampian Mountains (Figure 1.1). Survey data have been presented as all Scotland totals as well as separated into Highland and Lowland figures for comparison with the previous reports (MacKenzie and Callander, 1995 and 1996). Local authority districts are listed in Appendix 5.

Figure 1.1 The gegraphical division of Scotland into two natural regions: the Highlands and the Lowlands

2 Chapter 2

New sources of information 1993-1998

Boundary changes since 1993 developments which continue to increase knowledge of the overall resource. Some of these A significant number of changes have occurred have been completed while others are at an early recently in relation to the administrative boundaries stage or are part of an ongoing programme. used by local authorities, Forest Enterprise (FE) and Appendix 1 lists total areas of semi-natural the Forestry Commission (FC). All these changes woodland for each of the former local authority have impacted on the method of reporting for the districts of Scotland. Most district totals are various woodland surveys and data collection unchanged since 1993 but there are several key programmes. In addition, some woodland surveys regions where new survey information has have concentrated their efforts on particular significantly increased the known area of native geographical areas such as the Cairngorms, Centralwoodland. In the Highlands new surveys have Lowlands or the lowland parts of various local increased the area of semi-natural woodland in authority regions. Naim, Moray, Gordon, Argyll, Perth & Kinross and Angus districts; and, in the Lowlands, NE Fife, Local authority boundaries changed in 1996 with Ettrick & Lauderdale, Roxburgh and Tweeddale the most significant difference being the new districts. In addition, several important surveys Highland Council area which is no longer split into have added more detail, such as National any subdivisions. Surveys which began prior to the Vegetation Classification (NVC) or age structure creation of the new unitary authorities are still information, to the existing material (details of using the old district boundaries. The current FC these are given in Appendix 1). The main sources of Inventory is using the former local authority data on native woodlands were available from the Regions in order to ensure accurate comparison of following surveys. statistics with the previous census of woodlands. Forest Enterprise hold data on the former districts The Land Cover of Scotland project: as well as their own Forest Districts and Regions. Forestry Commission Woodland Grant Schemes LCS88 (WGS), however, are collated according to the new Since 1993 the Land Cover of Scotland (LCS88) council areas, although, if required, it should be project has been completed (Macaulay Land Use possible to analyse the computerised data against Research Institute, 1993). This was a desk study different parameters. based on an analysis of the 1988 Scottish Office set of aerial photographs of Scotland and covered a The computerisation of data and the digitisation of wide range of habitats, including woodland. It did maps within Geographical Information Systems not specifically identify native woodlands but (GIS) will permit much easier comparison in the classified them under the headings of semi-natural future and boundary changes will have considerably conifers, mixed woodland and broadleaved less impact on survey results. In the meantime, the woodland. The nature of these categories does not new unitary authority boundaries have been used to permit an accurate interpretation of the total area of analyse the main results with data based on the old native woodlands in Scotland although some of the local authority districts being amalgamated asregional statistics, such as Highland, may well necessary (see Appendix 5). Semi-natural woodland reflect true semi-natural totals. The main area totals were, however, collated according to the difficulties relate to the likely inclusion of planted former local authority districts. non-native broadleaves in total estimates and the impossibility of separating the planted Scots pine New native woodland surveys from the conifer plantation category.

1993-1998 This Technical Paper used the LCS88 figures for Although there is still no comprehensive survey total woodland to help update the total woodland listing the area and type of all the native woodlands area data for Scotland, Highland and Lowland in Scotland there have been a number of significant statistics.

3 The LIFE programme The National Countryside The Caledonian Partnership's Scottish Woodland Monitoring Scheme Inventory (the LIFE 94 survey) is currently using This survey was designed to assess habitat change remote sources, including LCS88, the Ancient between the 1940s and the 1970s and between the Woodland Inventory, aerial photographs and 1970s and 1980s. Using aerial photographs from existing site surveys to compile a national database these respective periods and sampling 10 km of semi-natural woodland in Scotland. Maps and squares on the ground the results were able to the database will be available on a computerisedquantify change in a range of habitats, including GIS which is due to be completed by the year 2000. woodland. Native woodland was not specifically At present, hard copy maps have been completed identified but the category of broadleaved for about two-thirds of Scotland but digital maps woodland is likely to be largely native, at least in are only available for a few areas, such as thePlighland districts. The final report has now been Cairngorms. published (Mackeyet a l, 1998).

The Caledonian Partnership has developed a three Aerial photography tiered woodland survey programme. The first is the initial basic, Level 1, information which will The last all Scotland air photo survey was eventually provide total area data for semi-naturalcompleted in 1988 and the full set of black and white broadleaved and coniferous woodland but will be prints at a scale of 1:25 000 were used as the basis for unable to provide estimates of area for the the LCS88 project and are also helping to validate individual native woodland types. The second, or the inventory work of the Caledonian Partnership. Level 2 survey, is designed to collect more detailed More recently there have been several local and woodland data by means of field survey and the regional aerial surveys providing full colour prints production of a series of record cards linked to the at a scale of 1:10 000. The wider Cairngorms area GIS. These will then provide the basis for was completed in 1995 and 1997 and there are a management planning or suggest the need for more number of Special Area of Conservation (SAC) sites detailed or specialised Level 3 survey. Currently, with colour aerial coverage. Colour prints are Level 2 surveys have been completed for a sample available for the Trossachs and a colour aerial of semi-natural woods in Argyll, Borders Region survey of Dumfries and Galloway region was and the Central belt. The latter two surveys have completed in 1997. The Dumfries and Galloway been carried out by the Borders Forest Trust and the prints are to be used as the basis for a LIFE type Central Scotland Countryside Trust respectively. Level 1 habitat survey of the region. Summary area data and National Vegetation Classification (NVC) woodland types are availableScottish Natural Heritage surveys for the Borders survey but no statistical information Summary details of recent Scottish Natural Heritage is available for the other areas until digitisation of (SNH) woodland surveys are listed in Appendix 1. the maps is completed. Only one Level 3 survey has Key areas with NVC surveys completed since 1993 been recently undertaken by the Caledonian include Stirling district, Loch Lomond Regional Partnership. This is a timber mensuration Park (completed in 1992 but reports only recently assessment of a sample of semi-natural woods in available), Kincardine and Deeside, Argyll and the Argyll and was completed in late 1998. Cairngorm Partnership area.

The use of remote sensing sources to compile All native woodlands in the Cairngorms native broadleaved woodland area data in thePartnership Area have now been surveyed and Lowlands is more complex and less reliable than mapped and are in the process of being digitised. in the Flighlands. This is due to the larger number Recent projects to complete this exercise include of planted, mixed and enclosed woods which surveys of Strathspey, Strathavon and upper require greater detail than is found in aerial Strathdon and the Cairngorms part of Tayside photos and LCS88 to establish their correct region. Site information includes dominant canopy classification. The value of such woods for amenity type for all woodlands and NVC and age structure and landscape in the Lowlands often far outweighs assessment for most woodlands. Scots pine their conservation attributes and they are often woodlands, planted and self-sown, were also included as part of the LIFE survey programme assessed for their genetic origin. because of the general scarcity of genuine native woodlands in the Lowlands and because they are SNH have now completed NVC surveys of all the sometimes candidates for restoration to a native proposed woodland SAC sites with maps and area woodland. data available in digital form. Broad age structure data are also available for a few of the native pinewood sites.

4 Tayside Native Woodlands updated to the time of survey, and involves ground sampling to evaluate species composition, age, This partnership initiative (formerly Tayside Native stocking and other environmental data. The results Woodlands Initiative) estimated the total area of all are based on the former local authority regions in native woodlands in Tayside region and field order to allow comparison with the previous census surveyed a 10% sample to assess the extent, NVC and presented in two reports, the main one covering type and condition of these woods. Detailed woodlands of two or more hectares, and the other analysis was carried out and a database established covering small woodlands and trees. The inventory which also includes ongoing input from surveys does not have a native woodland category or related to WGS schemes. Their report included a distinguish between planted and self-sown summary of the results of the survey (Tayside woodlands but an indication of native woodland Native Woodlands Initiative, 1995). can be obtained by summing the native species areas. At present, six regions in Scotland have Forest Enterprise surveys completed main reports with the remaining reports Surveys of native Caledonian pine and upland scheduled to become available by late 1999. oakwoods have been carried out by Forest Enterprise as part of their contribution to the UK Biodiversity Surveys by other organisations Action Plan (Forest Enterprise, 1997 and 1998). Most The RSPB, Woodland Trust, National Trust for of the surveys have focused on an assessment of the Scotland (NTS), Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and current condition of these native woodlands with a John Muir Trust have carried out various surveys, view to maintaining or restoring the ecological including Level 1, NVC and other specialist diversity of the habitat. Details of these and other surveys, on their respective properties. The SWT native woodland surveys conducted as part of FE's also has an ongoing programme of Level 1 general programme of environmental improvements habitat surveys in various districts throughout are located in the local forest district offices. There is Scotland. Currently, there are teams operating no central database at present which includes all FE in Inverness-shire, Gordon, Clydesdale and South survey details. Ayrshire. Most survey work concentrates on lowland habitats only. Some statistics are available The Forestry Commission national for broad habitat categories such as semi-natural inventory of woodland and trees broadleaved woodland but details of woodland The FC are currently undertaking a national types are only accessible from the survey target woodland survey to update their last census of notes. 1979-82. The new survey is using the LCS88,

5 Chapter 3

The native woodland resource

Extent The proportion of this woodland which is actually native cannot be determined from the LCS88 and New survey data, particularly the LCS88, have the current estimate relies on less comprehensive enabled a re-assessment of the total woodland cover data from other sources (Figure 3.1). These confirm of Scotland. Since the last FC census of 1979-82 the that there is a minimum native woodland resource total woodland cover has increased in area by 52%. of 320 938 ha which occupies 4% of the land area Almost 1.4 million ha, 19% of the land area of (5.6% of the land area in the Highlands; 1.7% of the mainland Scotland and the Inner Hebrides, is land area in the Lowlands). currently covered by woodland.

TOTAL WOODLAND 1 376 313 ha

CONIFERS BROADLEAVES I 4% of 1 114 814 ha 261 499 ha K land area 81% 19%

NATIVE NON-NATIVE NON-NATIVE 161 648 ha 953 166 ha 102 209 ha 12% 69% 7%

NATURAL PLANTED PLANTED NATURAL ORIGIN ORIGIN ORIGIN ORIGIN 25 440 ha 136 208 ha 32 536 ha 126 754 ha 2% 10% 2% 9%

Notes 1. Woodland % expressed as % of total woodland. 2. The reference date for the FC Inventory is 31 March 1995 (except Grampian which is 31 March 1994). Area totals have thus been updated from WGS and FE planting/regeneration statistics. 3. Mixed and other broadleaves have not been included as the FC Inventory and WGS/FE planting data did not record the species composition. Since native broadleaves will form a component in this category the area data for native broadleaves and planted origin broadleaves will be an underestimate. 4. Open ground has been included in the woodland area totals for the FC Inventory and WGS/FE statistics. Felled woodland has not been included. 5. Woodland survey data are based mainly on surveys of woods 2 ha and over.

Figure 3.1 Extent of native woodlands in Scotland. Sources: FC Caledonian Pinewood Inventory; FC National Inventory of Woodland and Trees, Part 1 (in press); WGS and Forest Enterprise planting and regeneration statistics, 1993-98; Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (1993); MacKenzie and Callander (1995 and 1996); survey data listed in Appendix 1

6 Further analysis of the native woodland total Current extent of survey coverage reveals that there is a minimum of 152 194 ha of natural origin and 168 744 ha of planted origin in Scotland native woodland, accounting for 47% and 53% The total area of semi-natural woodland which has respectively of the native woodland resource (Table some degree of field survey information (Level 1 to 3.1). This is still an underestimate of natural origin NVC) amounts to 90% of the known area of semi- native woodlands as most regional surveys of semi- natural woods in the Highlands and 44% in the natural woodland continue to be less than Lowlands. Considerably more effort is required, comprehensive in their coverage. It is also an however, to increase the comprehensiveness of underestimate of planted origin native woodlands survey coverage and to provide greater detail of since there is no information at present on the woodland types (beyond that of Level 1 or remotely proportion of native species in the mixed and other sensed data). The following districts and regions broadleaves categories of the FC Inventory and (former local authorities) are priority areas with current WGS/FE planting statistics. The majority of significant amounts of semi-natural woodland planted origin native woodland is Scots pine but which do not have comprehensive NVC (or native broadleaves are being planted in increasing equivalent level) survey coverage: numbers. Of the 21 567 ha of native species planted under WGS between 1993 and 1998, 61% of the area Sutherland Many of the woodlands have consisted of native broadleaves. been surveyed in some detail (though most are not to NVC Table 3.1 also illustrates the disproportionate level) but the material has not amount of Scotland's native woodland resource been collated in a form that contained within the Highlands. In addition, would provide an account of although woodland area data for England and the different semi-natural types. Wales have not recently been revised, the native woodland resource in the Highlands accounts for Wester Ross This part of the district of Ross 36% and 21% respectively of Britain's woodland & Cromarty has not had a area composed of native species and of genuinely comprehensive NVC survey. native woodland (Table 3.2). Scotland's proportion of the native woodland resource of Britain has Lochaber The NVC survey of the district increased. Natural origin woodland now accounts omitted at least 30% of the for a quarter of Britain's natural origin area (Table semi-natural woods. 3.2). Tayside Region The Tayside Native Wood Significant changes have occurred in the available lands survey was a sample knowledge of the native woodland resource since NVC survey. Most semi the compilation of the two FC Technical Papers natural woods have not been (MacKenzie and Callander, 1995 and 1996). The field surveyed. completion of new survey data has resulted in a 34% increase in the known area of native Stirling The ancient semi-natural woodlands. Further new field work and WGS woods have NVC survey regeneration schemes have added considerably to coverage but the rest of the the natural origin total (which has increased in area native woods (about half) have by 25%) while planted origin native woodlands not yet been field surveyed. have also increased (by 43%). The proportion of natural origin woodland is slightly smaller (47% of Arran Some field survey coverage the total) than the area of planted origin woodland, (Cunninghame) but none has been analysed. which in 1993 was approximately equal in extent. Kyle & Carrick No NVC surveys. Only part of There has, however, been a reduction in the the district with some survey proportion of native woodland to total woodland. coverage but no analysis. The percentage for Scotland has fallen from 27% (MacKenzie and Callander, 1995) to 23% (Table 3.1). Cumnock & No NVC survey and no This reduction clearly reflects the more accurate Doon Valley analysis of existing habitat figures for total woodland cover which will include survey. the substantial afforestation schemes of the 1980s. Further native woodland surveys and the Dumfries & Some NVC survey coverage completion of the FC's Inventory will probably Galloway Region but 60% of the semi-natural restore the balance of information. woods remain to be surveyed.

7 Table 3.1 The native woodland resource in the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland

Lowlands Highlands Scotland

Total land area (ha) 5 081 700 2 239 800 7 321 500 % of Scotland's land area 69 31 100

Total woodland area (ha) 1 061 688 314 625 1 376 313 % of Scotland's woodland area 77 23 100

Total area of native species (ha) 283 944 36 994 320 938 Native species as % of total woodland 27 12 23 % of Scotland's native species area 88 12 100

Total area of natural origin woodland (ha) 134 713 17 481 152 194 Natural origin as% of total woodland 13 6 11 % of Scotland's natural origin area 88 11 100

Natural origin as % of total native speciesarea 47 47 47 Planted origin as% of total native speciesarea 53 53 53

Sources: As Figure 3.1.

Table 3.2 Scotland's native woodland resource in the Great Britain context

England Wales Scotland GB

Total land area (ha) 1 304 3927 2 076 402 7 321 500 22 441 829 % of GB land area 58 9 33 100

Total woodland area (ha) 929 027 237 432 1 376 313 2 542 772 % of GB woodland area 37 9 54 100

Total area of native species (ha) 415 679 60 808 320 938 797 425 % of total woodland area 45 26 23 31 % of GB native species area 52 8 40 100

Total area of natural origin woodland (ha)415 679 60 808 152 194 62 8681 % of total woodland area 45 26 11 25 % of GB natural origin area 66 10 24 100

Notes Land area and most area totals for Scotland exclude Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland which together contain a minimum 1527 ha of total woodland. The FC Inventory does not list any native species for these islands but there is likely to be at least 120 ha. There are only a few small areas of natural origin woodland (< 20 ha in total), for example at Berriedale on Hoy and Allt Volagir in the Western Isles. LCS88, supplemented by new planting and regeneration data, provided the total woodland figure but the native woodland component could not be determined from this source. Area totals have thus been calculated from different data sources and the native species totals will be an underestimate. The total area of native species and natural origin woodland for England and Wales in Table 3.2 is the same because there are no recent data available on the amount of planted origin native woodland. The FC's National Inventory of Woodland and Trees should provide some of this data when it is completed within the next two years. Table 3.3 Ownership and survey coverage of native woodlands by the main non-government conservation organisations in Scotland

Area of woodland Area surveyed (ha) owned (ha) ------Level 1 NVC

RSPB (13 mainly woodland reserves) 4940 265 4675

Woodland Trust (75 sites) 2276 1169

John Muir Trust (on 3 properties) c. 200 c. 200

SWT (39 woodland reserves) 4380 4380

Several districts or parts of districts have habitat Conservation agencies which own areas of native maps with target notes on woodland types. SNH woodland undertake their own surveys. Table 3.3 area offices also contain survey material relating toshows the agencies which own and manage woodland SSSIs and all the proposed Special Area significant amounts of native woodland on some of of Conservation sites have NVC maps. Analysis of their properties. this material would provide additional woodland type and area statistics to supplement regional The National Trust for Scotland also own over 2000 survey data. ha of native woodland in their various properties but no area information is available on the extent of survey coverage.

9 Chapter 4 Recent trends in the resource

Woodland Grant Scheme statistics (a) 100 1993-1998

MacKenzie and Callander (1995 and 1996) had 8 60 I— previously reported on the increase in the planting CO -o and regenerating of native species between 1988 and o' 20 1993. The statistics from the FC's Woodland Grant Scheme analysed for this report continue that trend. 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 From the year ending 31 March 1994 to the same Inin period in 1998 the proportion of native broadleaves Native broadleaves as percentage of total in the total broadleaved statistics for Scotland has broadleaves in the Scottish Highlands risen steadily to almost 80% (Figure 4.1a). This (b) figure would certainly be over 90% if mixed and 100 other broadleaves had been used in the calculation. The mixed and other broadleaves categories were 8 60 excluded from the native species totals as the species l— c0 composition is not recorded in the WGS database. -O However, FC staff in Highland Conservancy have 20 confirmed that in their area over 70% (almost 100% in the west) of 'other broadleaves' and 'mixed 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 broadleaves' consist of native species. Inn Bill Native conifers (Scots pine) as percentage of total conifers in the Scottish Highlands (a) 100 Figure 4.2 WGS statistics (grant paid) for native species in the Scottish Highlands from year ending 31 March 8 60 1994 to year ending 31 March 1998. (Data includes new I— ca planting, restocking and natural regeneration)

20 The proportion of native Scots pine in WGS schemes has also risen and has accounted for over a 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 il H Bl third of all conifers established since 1993 (Figure Native broadleaves as percentage of all 4.1b). Almost all of this has been under the Native broadleaves11 in Scotland Pinewood Scheme which has shown a dramatic rise in take-up since 1990 and looks set to continue the (b) 100 trend with a significant area of schemes gaining approval during the last five years (Appendix 3).

8 60 I— Most of the planting and regenerating of native CO species in Scotland has been in the Highlands. O'' 20 Almost 90% of all broadleaves consist of native species (Figure 4.2a), while Scots pine, which is only

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 native to the Highlands, has accounted for over 50% of all conifers for the past five years (Figure 4.2b). In Native conifers (Scots pine) as percentage contrast to the dominance of native species in of all conifers in Scotland schemes in the Highlands the proportion of native broadleaves in the Lowlands is under 50% (Figure Figure 4.1 WGS statistics (grant paid) for native species 4.3). in Scotland from year ending 31 March 1994 to year ending 31 March 1998. (Data includes new planting, restocking and natural regeneration)

10 100 (a) ■ Planting 9 Natural regeneration 100

S 60 k_ CC VsO $ 60 0s L_ CO 20 0s- 20 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Native broadleaves as percentage of total 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 broadleaves in the Scottish Lowlands ranProportion of planted and regenerated broadleaves in the Scottish Highlands Figure 4.3 WGS statistics (grant paid) for native species in the Scottish Lowlands from year ending 31 March 1994 (b) to year ending 31 March 1998. (Data includes new 100 planting, restocking and natural regeneration)

fc—2 60 WGS planting and natural (0 regeneration statistics 1994-1998 20 Between 1994 and 1996 the amount of new native broadleaved woodland schemes established by ran1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 natural regeneration exceeded that of planting. In Proportion of planted and regenerated 1997 and 1998, however, although the total amount Scots pine in the Scottish Highlands of native broadleaved schemes had increased, the proportion established by regeneration had become Figure 4.5 Planting and regeneration of native species reduced (Figure 4.4). within Woodland Grant Schemes (grant paid) in the Scottish Highlands, 1994-1998. (Planting includes new planting and restock; natural regeneration includes new In the Highlands the proportion of native planting and restock by regeneration) broadleaved regeneration schemes remained above 50% of the total until 1998 when it declined slightly in favour of planting (Figure 4.5a). With Scots pine, ■ Planting a Natural regeneration regeneration exceeded planting in 1994 but has 100 shown a gradual decline since then (Figure 4.5b). In 1998 the proportion of regenerating pine was down to 13% despite a consistently high level of Scots pine 1—§5 60 CO in Woodland Grant Schemes (Appendices 2 and 3).

20 In the Scottish Lowlands the amount of regeneration in new schemes remains at a low level, averaging 10% of all the established native 1994Mill 1995 1996 1997 1998 broadleaves over the past five years (Figure 4.6). This probably reflects the much smaller area of Figure 4.6 Planting and regeneration of native species existing native woodland and the limited scope for within Woodland Grant Schemes (grant paid) in the Scottish Lowlands, 1994-1998. (Planting includes new expansion in this part of Scotland. planting and restock; natural regeneration includes new planting and restock by regeneration) a Planting □ Natural regeneration 100 Native pinewoods in Woodland S 60 I— Grant Schemes 1990-1998 CO o'- The majority of Scots pine and a significant amount 20 of native broadleaves are planted or regenerated under the Native Pinewood Scheme (Appendix 3). OH1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 The scheme only applies to the Caledonian Forest zone of the Scottish Highlands, although there are a Figure 4.4 Planting and regeneration of native broad few applications approved for areas outwith this leaves within Woodland Grant Schemes (grant paid) in boundary. Over the past six years the total areas Scotland, 1994-1998. (Planting includes new planting established have gradually risen, including the and restock; natural regeneration includes new planting proportion of native broadleaves. and restock by regeneration)

11 I Planting 19 Natural regeneration 100

S 60 4- L_ 03

20--

1990 1991 1992hull 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Figure 4.7 Planting and natural regeneration of Scots pine and native broadleaves under the Native Pinewood Scheme. (Areas grant aided, 1990-1998)

Although regeneration data were not separately Scots pine planted on FE land in the Lowlands has identified in the early years of the pinewood scheme not been included as a native species but the and some regeneration data were amalgamated withamount of Scots pine used by FE in South Region is restocking figures prior to 1996, there is an evident very small (e.g. 27 ha in 1998). decline in the proportion of regeneration to planting from 1996 to 1998 (Figure 4.7). Seed origin for native woodland planting schemes Native woodland statistics on Forest Enterprise land The last review (MacKenzie and Callander, 1995) commented on the dominance of non-Scottish New planting, restocking and natural regeneration origin stock in tree nurseries in Scotland. Since then of native broadleaves and Scots pine have remained the Forestry Commission's Forestry Practice Guides relatively constant over the past five years for the management of semi-natural woodland have (Appendix 4). Most of the broadleaves are probably been published and these recommend, but do not native species but, because the main category in the insist, that, on ancient woodland sites, seed is of FE broadleaved database is mixed broadleavesScottish, or preferably local, origin. In Highland (MB), precise details are not available. However, Conservancy, the Forestry Commission expect a the proportion of broadleaves in restocking and letter of confirmation or invoice from the nursery as new planting on FE land remains, on average for the evidence of the origin of the seed source in native past five years, at 12% of the overall total in North woodland planting schemes. However, this is not a Region and 14% in South Region. formal requirement by the FC (personal communication, FC, Dingwall). The proportion of Scots pine used by FE in North Region plantations also remains relatively constant, Conditions for native pinewoods are considerably albeit with a slight decline in 1997 and 1998. more stringent. Seed for pine planting stock must However, the proportion of Scots pine has remained originate from the same region in the north-west well below 20% of the total area of new conifer and south-west regions of biochemical similarity. planting and restocking over the past five years Elsewhere, it is preferred that planting stock should (Figure 4.8). originate from the same region. However, associated broadleaved planting stock need only be of Scottish origin.

As a result of the increasing demand for local origin seed in native woodland planting schemes several tree nurseries now appear to offer planting stock from a variety of different origins in Scotland.

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Figure 4.8 Proportion of native conifer (Scots pine) new planting, restocking and natural regeneration on Forest Enterprise land in North Region, 1994-1998

12 Chapter 5

Native woodland statistics and Habitat Action Plans

As part of Scotland's commitment to the UK to provide further detail. LIFE level 2 surveys will Biodiversity Action Plan the Scottish Biodiversity produce the required detail but at the moment these Group (1997) is coordinating the development of are only being carried out on either a sample basis costed action plans to cover the range of native or in a few selected districts, as and when funds are woodland types in Scotland. The Forestry available. In time, the database will record all Commission will be the lead partner in all the main survey data, including those conducted by other woodland habitat action plans, while English organisations as well as introducing data from new Nature will lead on lowland wood pasture and native woodland planting and regeneration parkland. Costed action plans have so far been schemes. This is unlikely to be available before published for Caledonian Pinewood and Upland 2000. Oakwoods (Anon., 1995). Plans for Upland Ashwoods, Wet Woodlands and Lowland Wood The FC National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees Pasture (and beech and yew) were published in (NIWT), due to be completed for Scotland later this 1998 (UK Biodiversity Group, 1998). year, will also not provide an accurate assessment of all semi-natural stands. Matching it with the The Habitat Action Plan strategy requires that Ancient Woodland Inventory could identify a large targets for the restoration and expansion of a certain proportion but the AWI significantly under area of each woodland type be set for the next 10 or represents the total area of semi-natural woodland. 20 years. Currently these targets relate to Matching the FC's Inventory with the LIFE level 1 percentage areas for each woodland type and this is survey will provide more accurate data on semi then translated to actual areas. For example, targetsnatural status, but only in the FC's sample plots. for upland oakwoods include a 10% expansion of The NIWT does not, in any case, readily compare the total area by 2005. However, as there are no with the list of HAP/FC semi-natural woodland precise area estimates for the total amount of types. upland oakwood it is not possible to accurately predict what area of oakwood represents 10% of the At the moment, therefore, there is a problem in resource in Scotland. The pinewood targets for 2005 identifying accurate percentages which can be require that the current known area of native readily monitored and this will affect proposed pinewoods (17 882 ha) (Forestry Commission, 1998) HAP targets for all of the native woodland types in be expanded by 35%. However, there are a Scotland. Future monitoring of these percentage significant number of other self-sown pinewoods of targets, for example by the National Inventory of unknown genetic origin, which may yet be Woodlands and Trees, may produce inaccurate recognised as genuinely native, and which possess results if the Inventory subsequently identifies high conservation value. This review of native additional woodlands which were not previously woodland statistics estimated that there were over recorded. 20 000 ha of native pinewood (including the pine sites of mixed or unknown genetic origin) while the The only way to quickly obtain some idea of the RSPB Habitat Action Plan for Caledonian extent of HAP categories in Scotland is to assess the Pinewoods (Royal Society for the Protection of relative percentages of the different FC classification Birds, 1997) also recognises the value of these other types for semi-natural woodland. This would woods in their targets'for restoration. involve collating information from existing field survey material. Final figures would still be an Currently, there are no comprehensive native underestimate of area but might be closer to the true woodland surveys which identify the total area of proportion of native woodland types. A proper each Habitat Action Plan (HAP) or FC semi-natural assessment would require access to woodland woodland type in Scotland. The remote surveys of record cards and maps as summary area data in the LIFE level 1 programme will provide total reports cannot always be matched with the FC estimates of semi-natural broadleaves and semi classification. NVC communities such as W ll natural conifers by the year 2000 but will not be able (Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetoselln

13 woodland) and W17 (Quercus petraea-Betula complete the assessment. Each method will have its pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland) could be pros and cons. The vantage point survey may omit either oak or birch while Peterken Stand Types do small areas of other woodland types, ash or alder not identify a wet birchwood category (Peterken, for instance, contained within the oakwood while 1981; Rodwell, 1991). the NVC would include such sub-dominant habitats. Rapid surveys do produce early results Detailed woodland classification schemes such as however, while NVC or other Level 2 survey the NVC are probably not the most appropriate coverage of Scotland's native woodlands will take mechanism for obtaining the relevant woodland several years to complete at the present rate of statistics required for policy and management progress. decisions. FE, for example, calculated the area of upland oakwoods for the HAP on their own estates A preliminary assessment of the proportion of HAP by utilising existing survey material supplemented classification types is given in Figure 5.1. This is a by rapid field and vantage point surveys to very tentative assessment as it did not involve

Lowland mixed 2%

HAP classification of semi-natural % Approximate woodlands in Scotland area area (000s ha)

□ Upland birchwoods 42 64 □ Upland oakwoods 20 30 Native pinewoods 20 30 □ Upland mixed ashwoods 8 12 Wet woodlands 8 12

■ Lowland mixed broadleaved woods 2 3

100 152

Notes 1. All figures based on an estimated approximate total area of semi-natural woodland of 152 000 ha. Areas of individual woodland types are a guide to the relative proportions and do not reflect accurate amounts. Figures may not sum due to rounding. 2. Wet woodlands include alder, willow and sphagnum birchwoods (NVC type W4c). 3. Habitat Action Plan woodland types in Scotland are more or less equivalent to the FC classification (in the current Forestry Practice Guides 1-8) except that two of the W4Betula-Molinia sub-communities (W4a and W4b) have been transferred from wet woodlands to the upland birchwood HAP. These W4 birchwoods account for approximately 6% of the semi-natural woodland total and in the figure are included with the other W ll and W17 birchwoods.

Figure 5.1 Estimated proportions of the area of each native woodland Habitat Action Plan (HAP) type in Scotland

14 consultation with record cards or some recent margin of error in excess of 10% (compare the error survey data. Guesstimates were applied in the estimates for common species in the NIWT calculation of wet birchwoods, to separate W ll and (Forestry Authority, 1997) where standard errors W17 birch from oak and to assess regions where can be as high as ± 15%). If HAP targets are set at survey data were not available. 10%, as in the costed action plan for oakwoods, then monitoring could produce erroneous figures. In view of the lack of comprehensive native woodland area data and the difficulty of monitoring Monitoring of the HAP targets should therefore an unknown population, HAP targets should not be involve an assessment of the actual area totals of based on a percentage of the estimated areas. new regeneration, planting and restoration Instead, targets should be fixed area totals for each achieved during the course of the plan rather than HAP type. Monitoring the whole population, when assess the total woodland in a before and after the whole is unknown, is unlikely to provide the situation, although the latter would be useful in required accuracy as sampling can produce a indicating trends.

15 Chapter 6

Conclusions and recommendations

This is the third occasion in 10 years (1987,1993 and Surveys such as the LIFE, LCS88 and the FC 1998) that an assessment of the native woodland Inventory are using aerial photographs which are resource of Scotland has been attempted. Each now 10 years old and before too long another set of review has had to utilise a wide range of different aerials will be required, rendering the 1988 ones survey sources in order to compile a summary obsolete. It is inevitable that there will be a time lag account of the native woodland resource. This and between data collection and final output but, when the previous assessment have revealed the the gap becomes significant, a database with a considerable amount of new survey data which had continuous update facility becomes an essential become available during each five-year interval. In requirement. LIFE and the FC Inventory are addition, new information provided by the involved in such a programme but neither can computerisation of WGS data highlights the provide the necessary native woodland resource expansion of native woodlands, particularly during statistics because the baseline data are either the last five years. incomplete or the collection of such data is not part of their objectives. The Forestry Commission's Once again, the analysis of the available data hasWGS database provides useful statistics on the shown that the native woodland resource of extent and composition of recent planting and Scotland is substantially greater than previously regeneration. Native species area totals can be recognised. The results in this report increase the readily extracted but the mixed and other estimated minimum area of genuinely native broadleaves categories (MB and XB), which can woodlands in Scotland to 152 194 ha - a 25% include significant amounts of native species, increase on the 1993 total of 121 557 ha which in turn cannot be used in the analysis as their species was a 44% increase on the 1987 total of 84 300 ha composition is not recorded on the database. If the (MacKenzie, 1987). Also there are indications that WGS and FE database are to provide accurate and these natural origin woodlands are still under- comprehensive native woodland statistics the recorded in Scotland. The Highlands remain the species composition of the MB and XB categories most important area for native woodlands of all should be included. types but several major restoration schemes are being developed in the Lowlands, for example, by There is now an opportunity for a more co the Borders Forest Trust. The planting and ordinated approach to the collection of native regeneration of native woodlands under the FC woodland statistics and the establishment of a grant schemes have achieved considerable dedicated dataset. There is already an urgent advances in the last five years, adding 39 316 ha to requirement for comprehensive information on the resource. More native broadleaves were the area, location type and condition of Scotland's established under WGS than Scots pine and more native woodland resource as part of the UK broadleaves, on average, were established by Biodiversity Action Plan and its Strategy for natural regeneration. Native species accounted for Sustainable Development. While they have over 53% of all planting and natural regeneration, signed an agreement on this, the Forestry including restocking, under FC grant schemes in Commission, SNH and the LIFE programme Scotland over the past five years. need to develop a combined dataset which will produce appropriate information and updates However, in spite of the new information there is on all the different types of semi-natural woods still neither a comprehensive account of the total and plantations in Scotland. This should move area of native woodland nor an accurate assessmentaway from a sample based system to a site of the extent of the different types of native related one and incorporate the essential woodland in Scotland. The LIFE level 1 survey will components required for analysis. Details of semi not provide this kind of detail and, although the natural woods must include date of survey, area of new FC Inventory will provide more information wood, map, dominant tree species and a classifi on area and broad composition, it will not provide cation based on the NVC or the FC system. The accurate data on the extent of natural origin woods. dataset need not contain the full content of

16 the LIFE Level 1/2 record cards as a scaled As many other organisations are also involved in, down version would satisfy the requirements sometimes overlapping, survey work the collection of for national or regional statistics. As all surveys, native woodland statistics has become a complicated maps and WGS data are gradually beingoperation. The value of a genuinely compatible converted into a GIS system the opportunities for register of native woodlands with an ongoing minimising duplication and ensuring compatibility mechanism for updating will enable more accurate are technologically feasible. Any problems and reliable statistical analysis, allow regular associated with local authority boundary changes monitoring, provide the basis for further survey work will be obviated by the ability of the GIS and guide policy. As the total woodland cover of to customise boundaries as the need arises. It Scotland has increased significantly in recent years an will also become easier to monitor trends in early conversion to a multi-purpose site-based woodland change, avoiding the need to set up database will reduce the long-term costs of future specific projects such as the National Countryside inventory and sampling work Monitoring Scheme.

17 References Forestry Authority (1997). National inventory of Anon. (1995). Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group woodland and trees. Scotland - Grampian region, Report, vol. 2: Action plans. HMSO, London. part 1. Forestry Authority, Edinburgh. Averis, A.B.G. (1991). A survey of plant communi ties and tree and shrub regeneration at Kinloch Forestry Commission (1998). The Caledonian Wood, Loch na Dal, Skye. Unpublished report pinewood inventory. Forestry Commission for Forest Enterprise, Fort Augustus. Scotland, Edinburgh.

Forestry Commission (in press). National inventory Averis, A.B.G. (1992). The vegetation of the home o f woodland and trees. Scotland (regional reports), farm, Clan Donald Estate, Skye. Unpublished part 1. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. report for Clan Donald Lands Trust, Armadale. Gallagher, P. (1993). Summary of habitat survey Averis, A.B.G. (1993). Vegetation of the Kylerhea data for Naim district. Unpublished report for area , Skye. Unpublished report for Scottish Scottish Wildlife Trust, Inverness. Natural Heritage (NW Region), Portree. Hawker, D. (1998). Clyde valley woodlands. Averis, A.B.G. (1995). A botanical survey of the National vegetation classification survey. woods of the Elgol Torrin area, Skye. Unpublished report for Scottish Natural Unpublished report for John Muir Trust, Skye. Heritage, Edinburgh.

Averis, A.B.G. (1997). The vegetation of the Torrin Honour, K.J. (1996). Kincardine and Deeside Glen Suardal area, Skye. Unpublished report broadleaf woodland survey. Unpublished for Scottish Natural Heritage (West Highland research, survey and monitoring report for area), Portree. Scottish Natural Heritage (NE Region), Aberdeen. Bates, M.A., Smith, M. and Booth, A.B. (1996). Habitat contexting survey of Midlothian. Hutcheon, B., Bates, M.A. and Booth, A.B. (1998). Unpublished report to Scottish Natural East Lothian habitat contexting survey. Heritage (SE Region), Dalkeith. Unpublished report to Scottish Natural Heritage (Forth and Borders area), Dalkeith. Booth, A. (1994). Survey of ancient woodlands in Stirling district. Unpublished report for Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (1993).The Scottish Natural Heritage (SE Region), land cover of Scotland 1988 (LCS88). Final report: Battleby. appendices. MLURI, Aberdeen.

Callander, R.F. and MacKenzie, N.A. (1994). The Mclnroy, A. (1996). Cairngorms native woodland native woodlands of Highland Deeside. Scottish survey - Tayside region. Unpublished report Natural Heritage (NE Region), Aberdeen. for Scottish Natural Heritage (SE Region), Battleby. Dargie, J.C. and Simpson, D. (1992). Loch Lomond woodland survey. Part 1: general report. Part 2: MacKenzie, N.A. (1987). The native woodlands of target notes. Scottish Natural Heritage (SW Scotland. Friends of the Earth Scotland, Region), Clydebank. Edinburgh.

Dunlop, B.M.S. (1994). The native woodlands of MacKenzie, N.A. (1997a). The native woodlands of Strathspey. Research, Survey and Monitoring Strathavon and Strathdon. Unpublished Report No. 33. Scottish Natural Heritage, Research, Survey and Monitoring Report. Edinburgh. Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh.

Forest Enterprise (1997). Forest Enterprise GB plan MacKenzie, N.A. (1997b). Age structure assessment for native Caledonian pinewood on Forestry of native woodlands on Deeside. Unpublished Commission land. Unpublished Forest report for Scottish Natural Heritage, Enterprise report, Edinburgh. Edinburgh.

Forest Enterprise (1998). GB habitat action plan for MacKenzie, N.A. (1997c). Woodlands and scrub in upland oakwoods on Forestry Commission the upper Findhom catchment. Unpublished land 1998-2005. Unpublished Forest report for the Findhorn District Fishery Board. Enterprise draft report, Edinburgh. Scottish Native Woods, Aberfeldy.

18 MacKenzie, N.A. and Callander, R.F. (1995). The Scottish Biodiversity Group (1997). Biodiversity in native woodland resource in the Scottish Scotland: the way forward. The Scottish Office, Highlands. Technical Paper 12. Forestry Edinburgh. Commission, Edinburgh. SWT Environmental Services (1994). West Lothian MacKenzie, N.A. and Callander, R.F. (1996).The phase 1 habitat survey. Unpublished report to native woodland resource in the Scottish Lowlands. Scottish Natural Heritage (SE Region), Technical Paper 17. Forestry Commission, Dalkeith. Edinburgh. Tayside Native Woodlands Initiative (1995). The Mackey, E.C., Shewry, M.C. and Tudor, G.J. (1998). future for Tayside's native woodlands. TNWI, Land cover change: Scotland from the 1940s to the Perth. 1980s. Scottish Natural Heritage/The Stationery Office, Edinburgh. Tidswell, R.J. (1995a). A botanical survey of the semi-natural woods of Aberdeen, Banff & Peterken, G.F. (1981). Woodland conservation and Buchan and Gordon districts. Unpublished management. Chapman & Hall, London. report for Scottish Natural Heritage (NE Region), Aberdeen. Rae, D. (1995). The Argyll woodland resource sur vey. Unpublished report for Scottish Natural Tidswell, R.J. (1995b). A botanical survey of the Heritage (SW Region), Lochgilphead. semi-natural woods of Moray and Nairn dis tricts. Unpublished report for Scottish Natural Rodwell, J.S. (ed.) (1991). British plant communities. Heritage (NE Region), Aberdeen. vol 1: Woodlands and scrub. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Tidswell, R.J. (1997). A botanical survey of the semi natural deciduous woods of Highland Ross, I. and Dunlop, B.M.S. (1998). Age structure Deeside. Unpublished research, survey and assessment of native woodlands in Strathspey. monitoring report for Scottish Natural Unpublished draft report to Scottish Natural Heritage (Grampian area), Aberdeen. Heritage, Edinburgh. UK Biodiversity Group (1998). Tranche 2 Action Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (1997). Plans, vol II: Terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Habitat action plan: Caledonian pine forests. English Nature, Peterborough. Unpublished report. RSPB, Edinburgh.

19 Appendix 1 Main areas of semi-natural woodland in former local authority districts with notes on new field surveys since 1993 J •£ 6 4 * - >NC- I QJ OJ w O CA QJ n 3 h-h h - h J Q s S (Q I QJ n n "Si I 3 1 3 1 •£ t2 4N td £ CA u (A I U DooinN OC O m CD N I NO NO CD CN n i o o CD O O 3 1 3 1 3 1 2 2 2 NN NC NO n i CN CN NO CN 4-1 QJ L G QJ CA CA n tb > qj £ o O cd G o j q O a; o c 3 O o L 2 6 COO D QJ 03 G cd c/a c/a CL) t/a ca QJ u o c G Cd u QJ u h n h n n , m h h h X X 2 D ( 2 (N NO CO NO CD r si rt M £ >=3 H O : < « s . CTS 3 ’S o 03« r- .y ^ rH * * s . rH § ■ SJ & « y mh A D t f 8 5f? rt T3 S 2 O G lb n u -gO u Lh 3 u lh 1 lh ^ 03 c/a g G3D. - ? o i c •5C d c § u j q ° G y S or fl h h " —I • *H I H" I— h 13 s ’-1 O s 2 . n M 4-» 4H O CA cd G cd c o QJ CA O QJ c/a ^ J Q d6 cd L to QJ >< qj h n | h X V4H CD •^4 •X! "C W CN IN 3 •4-, -y. 03 o CA L cd G. lb c tb o c o G QJ G cd cb g & aP i h 13 2 . X H m N O N O t-H > CA > QJ g L h -5 ■8 CD CD CD hJ 2 T3 N I O t O - O QJ L o G OJ lb £ h h n n ,\ X ■5 T3 _ CQ CD M i i M T3 JS D C NO CN i t— CN H r o CD \* 3 1 T3 2 T3 $ c/a 3 j • 'c 1 D 11 ON ON Jd tb 01 G 0 u rb 03 , a QJ 0 U ” > -4- ’ QJ ? c >, ° QJ faJX 2 03 c/a QJ c/a > QJ > c/a O S O o w e “ o 01 c mh QJ QJ U C cd G QJ g 03 01 o £ lb G cj g O O l-H £ 03 3 ond . X ( l

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Gordon 2 715 2 715 Survey of all native woodlands in upper Strathdon; includes NVC, age structure and genetic origin of planted Scots pine and self-sown woods (MacKenzie, 1997a). Earlier broadleaved survey of district now in report form (Tidswell, 1995a). Appendix 1 continued D • pH c H rt (O -H w 2 5 • CA 3 * > *3 2 i tb Ui X I p OJ drd J3 c S fd i © OJ CA H flj 2 0 1 01 J= a f ' Q S S Q G 3 CN SO CO <-> 3 u cd CN so CO “ c 01 3 j J * •SP ^ .3 .3 QJ (3 rN . "s2.s &'§S O ^ bO s s © c QJ 73 y u -a ° ih .2 § Q 3 cd 2 re .spS _ CS *55

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cn T x .s in NO O CM ON bC CO h 3 2 '3 QJ % •8 PQ -» 4 ON m o m o 3 QJ D x -» 4 CN CN in N I 3 E 3 N I O 3 l e •6 x x x X X x D X U3 ’5b o Os Os CN~ o X 2 o X 3 05 US '55 .G 2 43 3 £ > U to QJ to G X 2 C tn o G tn 3 u > 0 QJ t»0 to G to > QJ l .a ) , _ x 73 cd 3 QJ m O C NO 2 73 O 3 QJ £ cd X 73 • X £ ' o > cd 3 CA p CA H X CQ =8 X oo 5 tb O C ON G oo G u ra c 2 73 X *> 4-> X O 3 QJ £ 73 73 73 cd P L QJ O o O ON L O 3 in O L 0 O 3 3 I CA cd CA QJ QJ 3 U O 3 QJ CA £ QJ cd h h h J n h h Appendix 1 continued J ' 2 D • pH 3 G QJ fd CA 3 l-H > QJ (d CA £ (d X ( CL, QJ (d O QJ s G fd J J 0 33 d > ) 0 £ o o G 05 h h 1 u -X Z ■d CO s o N I CO QJ O QJ G 33 B 33 £ 33 O ^ X ) T P Z \ H |—1 '\/ •G 3 33 33 o c 01 £ (3 h W X 2 2 VM 3 ^ 73 PP •d ■d d • 2 - T3 1-J h o *» T—I -*-» 5 4-* J - ■ OJ 2 " >H 02 -in J Q o g L x-^ni O QJ CA L o CA j q fd J 0 0> 01 0 o <£ 33 G (d ,2 > d > OJ E c 0- CU CA « <3 60^0 G u o cd £ G L fd G : < 01 6 33 a > £ 1 h h h h X ' O O w • n

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C - X X 3 7 3 7 73 ■d o •d n c n o n o P t t ^ 4 •4-* - - QJ QJ CA 3 L > QJ o OJ QJ G o QJ CA > o o CA 3 QJ , & 05 (3 J to >H, 33 c 33 > OJ 33 05 E 33 (3 G h h h h h -G < X O CO CO N CN CO ON CN CO 00 h d • T3 PQ ? ■ N CN CN 00 W •8 05 OJ J qj 05 QJ 33 QJ J 33 p J h h os 2 -G ja PQ

Tweeddale 382 382 As Berwickshire. In addition, SWT Level 1 habitat survey have mapped 382 ha of semi-natural broadleaved woodland. Appendix 1 continued a 5 5 2 -a • & I • e • < 2 S e2 z S 2 4 * S I S T B I S p L * cu 3 «s ? 01 CO o u OJ ra I H h flj 0 > > )

43 ca 'S S ' 73 S T x> 1 T3 T3 C4 E * 0 u — s CO SO os CN 2 73 -H l O CO in 4-* 4-* u co CO QJ L u 01 G 01 L QJ £ CA o G j a £ 05 3 QJ G > is 01 h h w 5 ■ 43 G ^ -M U s : j a £ i r 6 £ 5 os P ' 2 ON § o o 7 2 - « & S r 3 3 7 M- - . 2 > u CO O s 3 T 3 T N I 0 0 s 4—» a 3 ^ S ca £ > QJ QJ T3O 2 £ >->co g G - G (S OJ ^ ? J^cn QJ u QJ in G QJ ca O G ca > ^ £ 01 in is G 3 ^ h h

2 . *33 G - jo "a3 2 - r u " M * T3 s> I A 73 u QJ ca S 2 ca fl QJ CO o £ ^ /5 c '£ H-H OJ ca u QJ CO L CO h 73 o 2 > U m o s s o o 4—» O QJ 2 * ^ G c G £ ca ca 5 3 73 2 in in M C CO N I o G QJ : < ca T5 M ) T W 3 J 73 co 73 > ’ so 2 73 afcj u CN 23 u CO o o 01 IS G is in u QJ CO QJ ca L co QJ G O b (S o c QJ S ca G ca CO bO o £ h H J 2 73 3 2 0 0 N I ■8 O G QJ £ ca 3 2 I 6 c o u 2 - y j H J CO 2 73 o * 5 U t 8 • SO VO - O G QJ £ ca ca u h Is CD ‘G U D 8 • 73 4 4 CN CN 2 J T l _ 4-> W 73 8 « so so 0 0 G O L o bo L QJ CO CO o £ ca QJ ca bJD QJ S o IS , > 6 O) in £ in IH 0 3 O G 01 IS 01 > i o 3 > ca c ca co ca h h n ) h ) T 3 £ •3 t SO ^ Tt CN I 2 73 s co 0 0 os N I n O G OJ £ IS ca o c T3 2 CD 4—) O G 0 £ IS QJ S ca )

Wigtown 964 662 No new d ata. Appendix 2 Woodland Grant Scheme statistics (grant paid)

For Scotland 1993-1998